Method and apparatus for providing and maintaining separation of multiple strands from a slitting operation

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for maintaining separation of multiple strands of metal produced in a slitting operation wherein a plurality of rollers and flatteners cooperate to properly tension the various strands while maintaining separation thereof whereby the various strands may be received onto a mandrel at a high rate of speed. As the various strands are received from the metal slitter, the strands pass over a roller and under a shaft which has a plurality of spacer members thereon. Flattening means are positioned on either side of a separator to thus prevent the strands from twisting. The strands then pass through two deflector rolls which retard vibration and prevent lateral movement of the strands.

United States Patent 1 1 Cannon et al.

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING SEPARATION OF MULTIPLE STRANDS FROM A SLITTING OPERATION [75] inventors: Roger B. Cannon, Muncie, lnd.;

Dwight B. Raddatz, Woodridge, 111.

[73] Assignee: Ball Corporation, Muncie, Ind.

[22] Filed: Nov. 14, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 415,846

1 51 May 13,1975

Eckhardt 242/75.2 X

Jablin 242/78.1

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for maintaining separation of multiple strands of metal produced in a slitting operation wherein a plurality of rollers and flatteners cooperate to properly tension the various strands while maintaining separation thereof whereby the various strands may be received onto a mandrel at a high rate of speed. As the various strands are received from the metal slitter, the strands pass over a roller and under a shaft which has a plurality of spacer members thereon. Flattening means are positioned on either side of a separator to thus prevent the strands from twisting. The strands then pass through two deflector rolls which retard vibration and prevent lateral movement of the strands.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEB m 1 3197s SHEET 1 OF 3 PATENTEuuAmms $883,088

sum 2 OF 3' FIG. 3

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING SEPARATION OF MULTIPLE STRANDS FROM A SLITTING OPERATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most metal manufacturers market their sheet metal in large rolls having substantial width. Since most consumers of the metal require the metal to be slit into narrow strips prior to being finally processed, there is a need for a device which will take a large roll of metal and reduce it to a plurality of rolls of narrower width. with a tension stand to facilitate control of the metal strands as they are being wound onto a mandrel. Such a machine is manufactured by Yoder Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. The thickness of the metal in a metal roll is not uniform across its width. The thickenss is greater in the center of the roll than at its extremities. Accordingly, as the metal is lit and wound onto a mandrel, the strands cut from the center portion of the metal roll will result in a roll having a diameter greater than a roll resulting from a strip cut at the outermost edge of a metal roll. Since the mandrel turns at one speed to accommodate take-up for all strands, there will develop slack in some strands as compared to those nearer the center portion of the metal roll. Accordingly, a pit is provided between the metal slitter and the tension stand into which the metal strands may droop as they are readied for transfer to the mandrel. Various methods have evolved for maintaining separation between the strands and for properly tensioning the strands for presentation to the mandrel. Prior art devices have utilized a configuration of rollers and members having separator blades thereon to thereby separate the strands of metal and properly tension the strands as they are wound onto a mandrel.

State-of-the-art devices have been unable to process slitters at speeds desired for increased industrial efficiency. Present day slitters are available which will operated consistently, with good results, at approximately 450 ft./min. As the speed is increased, the movement in the metal strand is also amplified and results in misalignment of the strand resulting in malfunctioning of the entire operation. Accordingly, there is a need for a device which will process strands at a higher rate of speed while maintaining their separation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for maintaining separation of metal strands at a higher rate of speed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which will prevent twisting or turning of the metal strands between the metal slitter and the mandrel.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide means whereby lateral movements on the mandrel are not transmitted up the line to result in swaying of the metal strands as they pass through the pit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for slitting metal at speeds in excess of 800 ft./min.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tension stand and a method for its use which enables the rapid processing of metal strands in a metal slitting operation. Metal strands leaving the metal slitter, pass over a first roller and under a first separator to a first flattener. The first separator comprises a plurality of separators spaced on an axle. The separators are adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the separator in order to accommodate strands of varying width. As the strands leave the first flattener they pass over a second separator, though a second set of flatteners, through drag tension rollers to be subjected to a double bend by two other rollers before reaching a recoiler which receives the strands and winds them into individual coils. The exact placement of the flatteners and the double bend introduced into the path of the strands prevents the strands from turning or squirming to thus enable high speed operation of the metal slitter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a metal slitting operation;

FFIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a tension stand and a recoiler;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a first separator;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a second separator;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the flatteners;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the first separator disclosing its two-positioned control; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the flatteners.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a wide roll of metal 2 is slit into a plurality of metal strands 4, 6, and 8 by metal slitter 10. The exact thickness across the width of metal roll 2 varies because of the rolling process used in its production. Recoiler 12 receives all of the strands and winds them up on mandrel 18 at the same speed. Due to the varying thickness of the strands, slack will develop in the strands between recoiler l2 and metal slitter 10. Tension stand 14 is positioned between recoiler 12 and metal slitter 10 to maintain the same amount of tension on all strands as they are wound onto a mandrel by recoiler 12. A pit 16 is provided to accommodate the varying lengths of the strands. The present invention relates particularly to tension stand 14 as it functions to properly tension the strands and to maintain separation of the strands during high speed operation (800 ft./min. and above).

Referring to FIG. 2, tension stand 14 operates to properly tension a plurality of strands for take-up by mandrel 18. The present invention will maintain separation between the strands and also prevent the strands from squirming or twisting. Any movement or variation in the alignment of the strands on mandrel 18 is prone to be transmitted back toward the metal slitter. The transferred motion will cause the strands to swing or squirm to cause the strands to become entangled.

The strands are guided from pit 16 into tension stand 14 by rollers 20 and 22. Separator assembly 24 has a plurality of separator blades 26 adjustably disposed along its longitudinal axis. (The separator assembly is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3 and will be more fully described hereinbelow.) The separator blades operate to maintain separation between the strands. The strands next pass through flatteners 28, over separator 30 and through flatteners 32. The surfaces of flatteners 28 and 32 are spaced apart to permit passage of the strands therethrough and yet spaced close enough to prevent turning or twisting of the strands. (The flatteners are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5.) Separator assembly 30 is similar to separator assembly 24 and also serves to maintain separation between the strands. Cooperation between flatteners 28 and 32 and separator assembly 30 permits the strands to be processed at rapid speeds (800 ft./min.) without bending or entanglement of the strands.

Drag tension rollers 36 and 38 are conventional and are covered with rubber or some material having a high coefficient of friction. The rollers turn in the direction of travel of the strands but at a rate slower than line rate (speed of the strands). The drag tension rollers function to maintain uniform tension on the strands as they are wound onto mandrel 18 at recoiler 12.

Rollers 40 and 42 subject the strands to a double bend. This particular configuration prevents any motion of the strands at mandrel 18 from being transmitted back along the line into pit 16. Accordingly, the strands are not as apt to become entangled as in priorart devices. The double-bend configuration acts as a buffer between the mandrel and the remainder of the machinery.

Separator assembly 24 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. A plurality of separator blades 26 are slideably and adjustably mounted on shaft 52. The blades are adjusted horizontally along shaft 52 according to the width of the strands being processed. Set screw 54 permits easy adjustment of the separator blades. Separator blades not being used may be stored at one end of shaft 52. Shaft 52 is fixedly attached to shaft 56 by arms 58 and 60. The angular location of the separator assembly is determined by the radial position of shaft 56.

The structure for controlling the placement of separator assembly 24 is shown in FIG. 6. A two-position piston 62 may be utilized to cause the separator assembly to be positioned in either a load position or a run position. Other conventional means may be used to cause the shaft 56 to be rotatable only between a first and a second position. When it is necessary to feed the metal strands through the machine, the separator assembly may be raised to load position 64.

Flatteners 28 and 32 and separator 30 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Separator 30 may be similar to separator assembly 24 or may be a solid roller, depending upon the particular speed of operation and depending upon the width of the strands. In a preferred embodiment. separator 30 is similar to separator assembly 24 and accoordingly, greater detail of separator 30 is not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Flatteners 28 and 32 are disposed on opposite sides of separator 30. Referring particularly to FIG. 4, flatteners 28 and 32 each have an upper member 66 and a lower member 68. The flatteners are mounted similarly and accordingly only one will be discussed. It should be noted, however, that the alignment of the upper member 66 over lower member 68 is different for flattener 28 than for flattener 32. The upper member 66 is disposed nearer separator 30 than is lower member 68. This physical arrangement, although not absolutely necessary, is more certain to add further control to the strands than an arrangement where the upper and lower members are aligned as disclosed at 32.

Lower member 68 of flatteners 28 is adjustably mounted to the housing 70. The lower member is fastened to the housing by bolts 72 and 74. These bolts pass through elongated slots 77 which permit the member to be positioned or adjusted. The upper member 66 of the flatteners is not fixedly attached to housing and the surface to the upper member does not rest on the surface of the lower member 68. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the upper member 66 of the flatteners is spaced apart from the lower member 68 of the flatteners by spacer 76 (FIG. 5). The cross-sectional view of the flatteners discloses that the upper and lower member are generally T-shaped and have an inverted relationship one to the other. The juxtaposed surfaces are separated by spacer 76. Upper member 66 is disclosed generally as an inverted T. The vertical portion of the T 78 is positioned between mounting brackets at each end thereof. Accordingly, the upper member 66 may be adjusted up or lowered by only adjustment of spacer 76. Horizontal placement of the upper member is determined by the horizontal placement or adjustment of mounting brackets 75. Mounting brackets 75 are attached to the housing by bolts 80. Bolts 80 fasten mounting brackets 75 to the housing through elongated slots 82.

Separator assembly 24 and separator 30 may have varying arrangements of separator blades thereon. The blades are spaced to accommodate the particular widths of metal being processed. The separator assembly and the separator are free to rotate, the rotational forces being applied by the strands as they pass between the separator blades and press thereagainst. In a preferred embodiment, the separators are not rotated by mechanical means, only by the forces exerted thereon by the passing strands. Under some operating parameters, presence of separator blades on separator 30 may be undesirable and accordingly, separator 30 may be replaced with av smooth-surfaced member.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various modifications as may appear to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the contemplation of the invention as described in scope by the claims.

We claim:

1. In a metal slitting operation comprising a tension stand having a first separator, a second separator, a plurality of flatteners, a plurality of rollers and drag tension rollers, the method of properly tensioning a plurality of metal strands for take-up on a mandrel comprising the steps of:

passing strands over a first roller and under a first separator;

passing strands through flattening means, over a second separator, and through flattening means; passing strands between drag tension rollers and onto a mandrel.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 to further include the step of:

passing strands under a second roller and over a third roller before the strands are wound onto said mandrel.

3. A tension stand having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a first separator means; a second separator means; a first flattening means and a second flattening means, said first separator means being disposed above said longitudinal axis; said second separator means being disposed beneath said longitudinal axis; said first flattening means and said second flattening means being disposed along said longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of said second separator means, said first separator and said second separator being disposed on opposite sides of said first flattener.

4. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 to further comprise a first and second roller disposed beneath said longitudinal axis and arranged such that the upper surface of said second roller is disposed above the lower surface of said first roller, said first roller being disposed adjacent said second flattening means.

5. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first flattening means and said second flattening means comprise first and second members, the said first member of each said flattening means being disposed above said longitudinal axis and the said second members being disposed beneath said longitudinal axis.

6. A tension stand as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second members are spaced apart sufficiently to permit passage of a metal strip therethrough and to prevent said metal strip from bending.

7. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first flattening means comprises a pair of T shaped members having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, and T-shaped member having their horizontal members juxtaposed.

8. A tension stand as in claim 7 wherein one said T- shaped member has a spacer means on its said horizontal member.

9. A tension stand as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and said second rollers are disposed adjacent each other so as to subject a strand passing along said longitudinal axis, under said first roller and over said second roller to a double bend.

10. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 to further comprise a first roller disposed beneath said longitudinal axis, first roller and said first flattener being disposed on opposite sides of said first separator. 

1. In a metal slitting operation comprising a tension stand having a first separator, a second separator, a plurality of flatteners, a plurality of rollers and drag tension rollers, the method of properly tensioning a plurality of metal strands for take-up on a mandrel comprising the steps of: passing strands over a first roller and under a first separator; passing strands through flattening means, over a second separator, and through flattening means; passing strands between drag tension rollers and onto a mandrel.
 2. The method set forth in claim 1 to further include the step of: passing strands under a second roller and over a third roller before the strands are wound onto said mandrel.
 3. A tension stand having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a first separator means; a second separator means; a first flattening means and a second flattening means, said first separator means being disposed above said longitudinal axis; said second separator means being disposed beneath said longitudinal axis; said first flattening means and said second flattening means being disposed along said longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of said second separator means, said first separator and said second separator being disposed on opposite sides of said first flattener.
 4. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 to further comprise a first and second roller disposed beneath said longitudinal axis and arranged such that the upper surface of said second roller is disposed above the lower surface of said first roller, said first roller being disposed adjacent said second flattening means.
 5. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first flattening means and said second flattening means comprise first and second members, the said first member of each said flattening means being disposed above said longitudinal axis and the said second members being disposed beneath said longitudinal axis.
 6. A tension stand as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second members are spaced apart sufficiently to permit passage of a metal strip therethrough and to prevent said metal strip from bending.
 7. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first flattening means comprises a pair of T shaped members having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, and T-shaped member having their horizontal members juxtaposed.
 8. A tension stand as in claim 7 wherein one said T-shaped member has a spacer means on its said horizontal member.
 9. A tension stand as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and said second rollers are disposed adjacent each other so as to subject a strand passing along said longitudinal axis, under said first roller and over said second roller to a double bend.
 10. A tension stand as set forth in claim 3 to further comprise a first roller disposed beneath said longitudinal axis, first roller and said first flattener being disposed on opposite sides of said first separator. 